Here is a Letter from Gordon;1 why you receive it without cover, the docketting will explain: probably it may be of no great hurry or moment, after all; but I send it off witht delay. It lay on the Lobby Table while I was going out to ride (Horse at the door), and I recklessly tore it up.

There has just come a Letter from Jean that she has lost her poor little Child;—whh, especially in the mood I am in, has made me very sad. The tone of her Letter is like that of steady silent weeping; that asks no consolation, and that can accept none. Poor creature, I am very wae for her,—and wae myself to think of the poor little smiling Bairn I saw in Autumn. But she is valiantly resigned withal; and Time will bring relief.

I have hardly in my life been so busy as since you went away. My amanuensis started with me only on Saturday morning;2 only three days of him yet completed,—and I seem to have got thro’ (riding on his back, or his pen's back) a greater quantity of mud than would have served me three weeks otherwise! The fact is, much was
lying done, so soon as I cd get into a fiery enough humour to decide about, & tumble the straw on this hand and the threshed corn on that!—

Farie3 also has been very diligent in trying to get me a Horse; and Neuberg I do believe has actually got me one;—just tried for the first time this afternoon, and found on the whole extremely advisable. Bay nag, 8 years old (Todhunter's horse,4 who recommends it in every particular); smaller of bone than I wished, it is not bigger than Jamie's, still less stronger, tho I think swifter; a good deal of blood in it; feet good, temper do, no squirling, fidgetting or trouble to the rider,—price £25. I shall certainly take it: £40 might be its price at the Rood Fair!5— Adieu, dear Brother.